2023 World’s Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper is in the final month of preparation for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man contest in Sacramento, CA, on May 15-18, 2025. In the final weeks leading up to the big competition in California, Hooper expressed his concerns with multiple issues within his sport, specifically, the WSM competition itself.
Hooper’s concerns include:
- Paying for Flights
- Public Event Information
- Prize Money
- Prize Money Payout Timing
Hooper acknowledged that other athletes may feel unsure about expressing concerns due to the possibility of risking their future opportunities but felt his concerns had to be said, even if he never competes in the competition in the future.
Hooper’s statements can be heard in their entirety via the YouTube video below, courtesy of the Big Loz Official channel.
[Related: Mitchell Hooper’s 3 Must-Know Strength Tips]
Family Must Cover Tickets
Athletes’ family members must pay for the airfare to watch them compete live. Hooper shared examples of why this can be stressful for the family and the athlete.
You expect competitors’ families to pay for their [airfare]; you’re a multi-billion dollar organization, I don’t understand.
—Mitchell Hooper
Not Releasing the Events to the Public
Hooper spoke out about how the events were not announced before the start of the competition. In his opinion, this can hinder how the athletes promote their training for the contest and keep their fans engaged and excited for the competition.
No one can make content, and [WSM] can’t promote it. It’s bad. I don’t like it.
—Mitchell Hooper
Prize Money
WSM ranks fourth in prize payout behind the other major strongman titles, including the Arnold Strongman Classic, the Rogue Invitational, and the Strongest Man on Earth. Hooper has won each of those championships at least once.
WSM prize money has not increased in the last three years. First-place prize money for the 2024 editions of all four contests is below, ranked in order from most to least:
- 2024 Rogue Invitational — $121,938.92 (Source: Rogue Invitational)
- 2024 Strongest Man on Earth — $100,016 (Source: Brian Shaw)
- 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic — $80,000 (Source: Hooper)*
- 2024 World’s Strongest Man — $75,000 (Source: Hooper)
*An Arnold Sports Festival team member confirmed that $80,000 went to the champion in 2025.
Payout Time Frame
Hooper called out WSM for tripling the time athletes wait to receive payments, increasing from 30 to 90 days.
Note: the following quote has been lightly edited for readability.
“A guy coming from overseas, who works a normal job, and brings a couple of family members who have to pay for their tickets, comes in fifth or sixth in his group,” Hooper charged. “He makes several hundred dollars to take a week off work to fly [him and] his family across the world…and you’re telling me you can’t pay him within three months?”
For comparison, Hooper suggested the payout time for other elite contests is about five to six days.
Hooper tried to meet with WSM officials about these issues between the heats and finals in 2024. He was assured changes would come. While some matters with contracts were resolved, his other concerns were not.
Hooper acknowledged WSM’s significance as the top title in the sport but felt that its status may be in jeopardy. Laurence Shahlaei appeared to agree with Hooper regarding the growth of the other contests compared to WSM.
The other comps have leveled up. World’s hasn’t.
—Mitchell Hooper
At the time of this article’s publication, WSM had not yet responded to BarBend‘s request for comment. BarBend will update this article if a response is received.
Fundraising for Family and Friends
Hooper shared another video on his YouTube channel on April 15, 2025, repeating his WSM grievances and the potential that 2025 could be his final time competing on the WSM stage if changes were not made to support athletes and their family members.
Hooper shared that WSM appears to be moving in the right direction following his discussions with them, though he would not wait to speak out.
I feel this needs to be said, and things can be better.
—Mitchell Hooper
If WSM does not change its policy, Hooper will donate portions of sales for his programs and clothing line to a fund supporting athletes and their families traveling to Sacramento.
Hooper declared that none of the funds would be used for himself and his family and that he would be transparent about what happens with those funds.
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Featured Image: @mitchellhooper on Instagram
